Webster's 1828 Dictionary
CONSISTENCE, CONSISTENCY
n. 1. A standing together; a being fixed in union, as the parts of a body; that state of a body, in which its component parts remain fixed.
The consistency of bodies is divers; dense, rare, tangible, pneumatical, volatile, etc.
2. A degree of density or spissitude, but indefinite.
Let the juices or liquor be boiled into the consistency of syrup.
3. Substance; make; firmness of constitution; as, friendship of a lasting consistency; resolutions of durable consistence.
4. A standing together, as the parts of a system, or of conduct, etc. ; agreement or harmony of all parts of a complex thing among themselves, or of the same thing with itself at different times; congruity; uniformity; as the consistency of laws, regulations or judicial decisions; consistency of opinion; consistency of behavior or of character.
There is harmony and consistency in all Gods works.
5. A standing; a state of rest, in which things capable of growth or decrease, remain for a time at a stand.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary
CONSISTENCE; CONSISTENCY
Con *sist "ence, Con *sist "en *cy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. consistance. ]
1. The condition of standing or adhering together, or being fixed in union, as the parts of a body; existence; firmness; coherence; solidity. Water, being divided, maketh many circles, till it restore itself to the natural consistence. Bacon. We are as water, weak, and of no consistence. Jer. Taylor. The same form, substance, and consistency. T. Burned.
2. A degree of firmness, density, or spissitude. Let the expressed juices be boiled into the consistence of a sirup. Arbuthnot.
3. That which stands together as a united whole; a combination. The church of God, as meaning whole consistence of orders and members. Milton.
4. Firmness of constitution or character; substantiality; durability; persistency. His friendship is of a noble make and a lasting consistency. South.
5. Agreement or harmony of all parts of a complex thing among themselves, or of the same thing with itself at different times; the harmony of conduct with profession; congruity; correspondence; as, the consistency of laws, regulations, or judicial decisions;consistency of opinions; consistency of conduct or of character. That consistency of behavior whereby he inflexibly pursues those measures which appear the most just. Addison. Consistency, thou art a jewel. Popular Saying.
New American Oxford Dictionary
consistence
con sist ence |kənˈsistəns kənˈsɪstəns | ▶noun another term for consistency.
The Wordsmith Dictionary